By Rod Mawhood, St. Catharines Standard
ST. CATHARINES - To say Trevor Hines is a streaky scorer may be an understatement.
ST. CATHARINES - To say Trevor Hines is a streaky scorer may be an understatement.
The 19-year-old St. Catharines native entered Friday’s game with six goals on the season, but that included a three-goal effort against Niagara earlier this month and a two-goal game versus Welland last week.
The third-year player had another hat trick and added an assist as the Spartans beat the Brampton Excelsiors 8-5 in junior B lacrosse at Merritton Centennial Arena.
“I don’t know how to explain it,” the modest, mild-mannered Hines said. “I want to score goals, I just wish I could score more often.”
Hines scored an even-strength goal, made a beautiful move on a rare lacrosse penalty shot, then found the back of the net on a great individual effort, shorthanded, to complete the hat trick.
“I guess when I get one, I’m good for the rest of the night,” chuckled Hines, who was also quick to point out one of the Spartans weaknesses this season.
“We’re out of shape. It’s visible in the third period, especially against Six Nations (13-3 loss). We were in the game until the third, and then they just took over.
“We’re working on it, going for team runs; we know it’s an issue.”
Head coach Matt Attwood admitted conditioning is lacking right now for the 5-4 Spartans.
“It’s tough right now with three games a week, and sometimes one practice, but the guys are addressing it — some of them on their own. Get in shape and stay out of the box are the keys for this team,” Attwood said.
“Tonight was one of our most disciplined games of the season.”
The Spartans jumped out to 3-0 first-period lead and led 5-4 heading into the third before Brampton tied things midway through the final frame.
That’s when the penalty kill went to work. Not only did the Spartans hold the Excelsiors to just two shots on a five-minute power play, they also managed to score two shorthanded goals on stellar individual efforts by Mike Bosse and Hines.
Craig Seneca was once again very strong in goal, making 34 saves for the Spartans who visit Hamilton Friday, then Elora Saturday, before hosting Niagara June 4. Game time at Merritton Centennial Arena is 7:30 p.m.
Notes: Matt Moore (upper body) Evan Scott (upper body) and Ryan Kazlauskas were scratched for St. Catharines.… The Spartans held a moment of silence for Colby Hancock before the game. The four-year old son of Halton Hills general manager Mike Hancock died earlier this week.… Brampton fell to (4-3) with the loss.
The SCOOP
Spartans 8 Excelsiors 5
Standard Star of the Game: The St. Catharines Spartans’ Trevor Hines with the hat trick and four points.
For the St. Catharines Spartans: Trevor Hines 3 (9), Jeff Wittig (2), Kyle Potter (10), Danny Blocho (3), Mike Bosse (2) and Corey Antongiovanni (3).
For the Brampton Excelsiors: Justin Huggins 2, Nathan Reid, Matt Smith and Sam Postma.
Game stats: Shots on goal by the Spartans on Austin Cairns 41, by the Excelsiors on Craig Seneca 39; Penalty minutes: St. Catharines 15, Brampton 18; Power plays: Spartans 1-for-8; Excelsiors 1-for-5.
Attendance: 112
Up next: The Spartans visit Hamilton Friday and Elora Saturday before hosting Niagara June 4. Game time at the Merritton Centennial Arena is 7:30 p.m.
